Bentley boys have to settle for a point

Morecambe had to settle for another home point after a game of few chances dominated by a swirling wind.

The Shrimps failed to score at home for the third game in a row.

But a tenth clean sheet of the season and the third in four games saw Jim Bentley’s side collect another valuable point.

From the start the wind was always going to be a huge factor in the game and both sides struggled to make any headway or create clear- cut chances.

Jamie Devitt was the first to threaten with a free-kick from 25 yards out that curled just over the bar, before Tranmere’s Cole Stockton hit back with a shot that was deflected wide of former PNE keeper Andreas Arestidou’s goal.

Jack Redshaw then tested Owen Fon Williams with a neat volley from the edge of the box .

The best chance of the half came in injury time when Kevin Ellison latched on to a long ball and nipped in between goalkeeper but saw his final lob fall the wrong side of the right-hand post.

Tranmere had the wind behind them in the second half and looked set to use it to their advantage.

The visitors started the period on top and created a great chance for midfielder Marc Laird but he failed to find the target with a close-range header when he looked odds on to score.

Substitute Ryan Donnelly then curled a left-foot effort just wide of the right-hand post before Morecambe began to find their feet with Ellison producing a storming run on goal that was Josh Thompson produce a fine covering block.

Ellison was then presented with Morecambe’s best chance of the game on the hour mark when Redshaw pulled the ball back from the byeline, only for the experienced striker to miss the ball altogether with his attempted shot.

Tranmere upped the pace in the final stages of the game with Shamir Fenelon and George Donnelly both shooting straight at Arestidou from distance.

The Shrimps threatened a late winner when Redshaw created space for himself but could only fire an effort into the hands of Fon Williams.

Both sides struggled to get a final chance and both had to settle for a point on a difficult and frustrating afternoon.